Proverbs 15:13
11 Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
12 A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
14 The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.
- KJV
- A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
- WEB
- A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.
- ASV
- A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance; But by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
- DARBY
- A joyful heart maketh a cheerful countenance; but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
- BLB
- A joyful heart makes a face good, and by sorrow of heart a spirit [is] stricken.
- ÅB
- Et glad hjerte gjør åsynet lyst, men hjertesorg bryter motet ned.
- OTB
- Et gledelig hjerte gir et lyst ansikt, men et knust hjerte knuser ånden.
- B1930
- Et glad hjerte gjør åsynet lyst, men hjertesorg bryter motet ned.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Read in contextJohn 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
Read in contextProverbs 12:25
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
Read in contextProverbs 18:14
The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
Read in contextProverbs 15:15
All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
Read in context2 Corinthians 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Read in context2 Corinthians 2:7
So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
Read in context2 Corinthians 1:12
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
Read in context